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Page 61 MICHIPICOTEN Excerpt from Great Lakes Fleet Page Vessel Feature by Jody L. Aho The purchase of the ELTON HOYT 2ND from Interlake reflected a new contract acquired by Lower Lakes Towing. The company was now supplying taconite to the Algoma Steel mill in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Ships in the Lower Lakes Towing fleet all carry names honoring rivers, on or near where the vessels trade. After being renamed the MICHIPICOTEN, she joined the CUYAHOGA, SAGINAW, and MISSISSAGI in the Lower Lakes Towing fleet. The MICHIPICOTEN entered the dry dock at Fraser Shipyards in Superior shortly after the sale. Dry docking lasted about three weeks. The 700-foot self unloader was towed from Superior, WI to Sarnia by Gaelic towing tug ROGER STAHL, arriving on May 7. Crews began work on the vessel fitting it out for service. On Saturday, May 24,2003 the MICHIPICOTEN was christened during a public ceremony in Samia. With a large crowd on hand to witness the event, Devon and Pam Bravener christened the ship with ^ jf the crack of the traditional bottle of champagne. The champagne bottle shattered against the hull with one swing and the company then generously opened the MICHIPICOTEN for . . . j tours to all those who had gathered to witness the event. The ags yingon ns ening ay. MICHIPICOTEN is the fourth vessel to join the Lower Lakes Towing Christening Day, May 24, 2003 fleet and the seventh combined with the U.S. affiliate Grand River Navigation Co. An impressive number for a company that is only eight years old. MICH I PICOTEN departed for Samia on June 13, 2003 sailing upbound on her maiden voyage to load at Marquette for the Soo. Her primary trade is between Marquette, Ml and Algoma Steel in the Soo, averaging about 36 hours per round trip. Aside from her primary route, she makes occasional trips to the lower lakes carrying stone or slag. Unloading at Algoma Steel Lock Tours Canada Boat Cruises Ready to depart fit-out in Samia Photo by N. Schultheiss